Newgarden Set for Pocono’s “Tricky Triangle” Challenge

The 2.5-mile, tri-oval, better known as the “tricky triangle” in Long Pond, Penn., is a challenge IZOD IndyCar Series drivers have not faced in more than 22 years.

1989 marks the last IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway, one year before Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing’s (SFHR) Josef Newgarden was born.

“I think Pocono is incredible,” Newgarden said after testing for the Pocono INDYCAR 400 for the first time last week. “It’s a fun course to learn but it’s very different than anywhere we’ve been. I think everyone is excited for a new challenge and that’s exactly what Pocono presents.”

The historic track is the fourth consecutive oval on the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, but according to Newgarden the course is unlike any other he’s seen.

“The unique thing is that it combines three different places all in one,” Newgarden said. “It doesn’t replicate one specific oval which is tricky. It sort of combines the length of Indianapolis, the banking of Fontana in Turn 1, the banking of Milwaukee in Turn 2 and then a circuit that we’ve never even been to in Turn 3. That makes it challenging because you don’t have much to draw from other places.”

The all-American driver will spend Independence Day testing the No. 67 SFHR Dallara/Honda/Firestone car once more before track activity officially begins for the weekend.

“July 4th is always an incredible time to celebrate the freedom of living in the U.S. and everything America stands for,” Newgarden said. “Being able to watch or shoot off fireworks is fun, but I’m excited that our team gets to spend the 4th of July together.”

The fireworks will shoot off for the Pocono INDYCAR 400 at 12:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 7, and live coverage begins at 12 p.m. ET on ABC. For all of the latest updates from the No. 67 car, follow @SFHRindy on Twitter and Instagram.